PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Diggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Inspectah Deck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diggins comes to the cage accompanied by Bonfire. Deck has chosen Wu-Tang Clan "Protect Your Neck" as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Inspectah Deck acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Diggins
vs
Deck

198 cm
25
193 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

191 cm
22
191 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Sydney BEAST Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Diggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Inspectah Deck!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diggins with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diggins throws a series of strikes that have Deck backpedaling.

Diggins moves into the clinch.
A short right from Deck on the inside.
Diggins is trying to pull guard but Deck has him pressed against the cage.
Deck looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diggins is trying to pull guard but Deck has him pressed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Deck.
Diggins fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franklin Diggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deck lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A bit of stalling here from Deck.
Deck working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Diggins is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Deck is defending well.
Diggins is stalling here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Deck manages to break the clinch.
Deck chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Deck forces Diggins back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deck working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Deck - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Deck lands a hook that snaps the head of Diggins backwards.
Deck leaning against his opponent.
A short right from Deck on the inside.

Diggins lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Deck wants to get back to full guard.
Deck is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Diggins looks to land a strike but Deck avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Diggins preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diggins postures up in Deck's guard and throws a big left but Deck blocks it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Deck holds on and takes a little breather.
Diggins trying to control the position from guard on top but Deck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Deck looking for a guillotine here but Diggins defends easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diggins trying to control but Deck is working from the bottom.
Diggins is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Franklin Diggins wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Diggins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Deck. Diggins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diggins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Diggins moves into the clinch.
Diggins jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Deck walks away with a smile on his face. Diggins gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Diggins moves into the clinch.
Diggins prevents Deck from breaking the clinch.

Deck breaks from the clinch.
Deck's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Deck duly obliges.
Deck throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Diggins sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Deck has managed to clinch.
Diggins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Deck prevents it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Deck pulls guard effortlessly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deck keeping moving, preventing Diggins from controlling successfully.
Diggins has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Deck looking to control.
Deck is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Deck keeping moving, preventing Diggins from controlling successfully.
Diggins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diggins throws a big right hand that misses.
Deck is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diggins controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Diggins wants to control from the top but Deck keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Inspectah Deck will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Diggins tries a head kick but it misses.

Diggins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Diggins tries to pull guard but Deck forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Diggins landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Diggins jumps guard but Deck stands there with Diggins around his waist. Diggins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Deck lands an uppercut.
A short right from Deck.

Deck escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Deck throws a low kick but Diggins moves out of range easily.

Diggins has managed to clinch.
Deck jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Diggins walks away with a smile on his face. Deck gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Deck moves in looking to clinch but Diggins pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Diggins.
Deck tries to clinch up.

Deck gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Diggins is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Deck to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franklin Diggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diggins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Deck fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Diggins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diggins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Deck connects with a jab.
Deck fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Diggins forces Deck back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins tries to score a body lock takedown but Deck shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Deck avoiding damage as Diggins throws knees to the body.
Diggins is trying to pull guard but Deck has him pressed against the cage.

Diggins manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diggins keeping moving, preventing Deck from controlling successfully.
Diggins wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Diggins keeping moving, preventing Deck from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Diggins keeping full guard, as Deck tries to pass.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Inspectah Deck hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Deck clinches up with Diggins and pushes him back against the cage.
Deck fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deck can't find room to land a body shot as Diggins controls the action.
Deck is looking to control Diggins's arms but Diggins gets an underhook and turns him. Now Deck has his back to the cage.
Diggins fails to pull guard.
Diggins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diggins drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Deck gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diggins throws a knee to the head but misses.

Deck escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A leg kick checked by Diggins.
Diggins throws a lazy head kick
letting Deck counter with a right hand.
Deck tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diggins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Deck misses with a double jab.
Deck lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Diggins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diggins closes the distance and clinches.
Diggins jumps guard but Deck stands there with Diggins around his waist. Diggins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diggins is trying to pull guard but Deck turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Diggins tries to pull guard but Deck forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Deck lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Deck.

Deck decides to pull guard.
Deck pulls Diggins in to control the position.
Deck is trying to keep Diggins in close.
Deck seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Deck is trying to keep Diggins in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Inspectah Deck showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Deck drives through and clinches with Diggins against the cage.
Deck is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Diggins prevents a body shot from Deck.
Deck gets through Diggins's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Deck's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Diggins rushes Deck and presses him up against the cage.
Diggins blocks a body shot from Deck.
Diggins lands an elbow just above Deck 's eye.

Diggins has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Deck is trying to keep an underhook but Diggins manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Deck wants to control but Diggins is keeping busy.
Deck is trying to control but Diggins passes into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deck seems a little lost for a moment, as Diggins dominates the positioning.
Deck stops Diggins from passing to mount.
Diggins working the body and head with strikes.
Diggins wants to control but Deck is keeping him busy.

Diggins thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Deck is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins staying calm.
Deck manages to get back to half guard.
Diggins is thwarting Deck's attempts to control the position.
Deck tries to get to full guard but Diggins has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deck is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Deck trying to control but Diggins postures up.
Franklin Diggins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Diggins moves into the clinch successfully.
Franklin Diggins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Deck breaks from the clinch.
Diggins throws a head kick but Deck moves out of range.

Diggins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Deck, pushing him back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Deck.
Deck softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggins tries to pull guard but Deck forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Diggins fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franklin Diggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Deck struggles to land a body shot inside as Diggins controls his hands.
Diggins jumps guard but Deck stands there with Diggins around his waist. Diggins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Deck stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Deck gets control of Diggins's arms and successfully pulls guard. Deck will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Deck looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Deck is controlling Diggins's posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deck working a defensive guard here.
Inspectah Deck is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Deck is pulling down on Diggins's head. It's preventing any offense from Diggins, at least for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Inspectah Deck comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Deck has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Inspectah Deck!
A very excited looking Inspectah Deck made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.